Collapsible paperboard bottle carrier



June 12, 1951 w. A. RINGLER COLLAPSIBLE PAPERBOARD BOTTLE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 0 st. 16, 1947 INVENTOR'. fl/g/JM 4 F's 6251 B Y A TORNEYS- W. A. RINGLER COLLAPSIBLE PAPERBOARD BOTTLE CARRIER June 12, 195-1 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1947 Eco INVENTOR.

Patented June 12, 1951 COLLAPSIBLE PAPERBOARD BOTTLE CARRIER William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa., assignor to The Gardner Board and Carton 00., a corporation of Ohio Application October 16, 1947, Serial No. 780,266

4 Claims.

My invention has to do with knock-down or collapsible paperboard bottle carriers, and is related to my co-pending applications Serial No. 582,907 filed March 15, 1945 and entitled: Carriers for Bottles, and Serial No. 729,795 filed February 20, 1947 and entitled: Collapsible Paperboard Bottle Carrier.

The specific objects of this invention are the provision of an improved collapsible paperboard bottle carrier which is integrally partitioned, the provision of a mode of making such a carrier, and the attainment of greater strength and security in bottle carriers of this class.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combination of carrier and handle in which the handle coacts with the carrier in certain new Ways. The handle, while depressiblefor stacking purposes, can not be engaged with the bottle carrier proper except when the carrier is in collapsed or semi-collapsed condition, and can not be disengaged therefrom while the carrier is in fully erected condition. The handle serves to prevent the peeling away of integral, collapsible Figure 7 is a perspective view of the carrier in a partial stage of erection.

Figure 8 is a perspective view with parts in section of the paperboard element of my carrier together with the handle element showing the initial stage of engagement of the handle element with the carrier.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 of Figure 8 showing a later stage in the engagement of the handle element with the paperboard element of my carrier.

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the erected carrier showing the handle in fully engaged position.

Figure 11 is a perspective view with parts broken away showing the fully erected carrier in a position for receiving bottles.

Figure 12 is a plan view showing a, modified form of handle receiving slot.

Referring to Figure 1, I have shown a, paperboard blank having a band portion divided by a score line I into two main parts 2 and 3, to the Y latter of which a glue flap 4 is articulated by a partition elements from a central longitudinal partition under the outward strains incident on use, especially where the carrier is filled with less than a complete complement of bottles. The handle further coacts with the container in such a way as to prevent tilting and loss of bottles if bottles are placed only in one side of the carrier.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a combination of paperboard bottle carrier and handle element in which the handle element can not become displaced with respect to the carrier.

It is an object of the invention to provide a paperboard carrier which may be made of single faced board, printed upon one side only, but in which no portions of the rear, unfinished and unprintedsurface of the board will be visible above the tops of the main walls of the carrier.

These and other objects of the invention which will be set forth hereinafter or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications I accomplish by that certain structure and arrangement of parts and in that procedure of which I shall now describe an exemplary embodiment. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

will be readil understood, and as illustrated in my co-pending application referred to above.

To the bottom edges of each of the main portions 2 and 3 I articulate extensions, along score lines 6 and I. These extensions have further score lines 8 and Ill dividing them into portions adjacent to the parts 2 and 3 and having a width to form bottom elements for the carrier, these parts being designated at II and I2, and additional parts I3 and M which, taken together, will form a longitudinal middle partition for the carrier, and which in depth are equivalent to the depth of the main elements 2 and 3. The bottom forming portions H and [2 have median longitudinal score lines i5 and It. The extensions themselves are preferably so spaced that the distance between extensions is equal to the width of an extension. This makes the width of the extension somewhat less than the total length of the erected band, but permits the blanks to be edges of the main parts 2 and 3 along score lines l1 and I8. These partition elements consist of central portions l9 and 20 respectively designed to lie inwardly of and parallel to the side wall sections of the band, additional portions 2!, 22, and 23, 24, designed to extend between the portions 19 and 20 respectively and the central longitudinal partition of the carrier formed by the parts l3 and [4, together with glue flap extensions indicated at 25, 26, 21 and 28. These parts are set on from each other by appropriate score lines, and the parts 2|, 22 and 23, 24 are provided with intermediate score lines indicated at 29, 30, and 3 I, 32.

It will be noted that the depth of the partition elements is substantially less thanthe depth of the main band portions 2 and 3. If it is desired to partition all bottles fully from each other throughout the entire depth of the paperboard portion of my carrier, I may prolong those portions of the lateral partition elements which extend from the central portions l9 and 20 to the longitudinal partition l-3, l4- Prolongations of portions 21- and 22 are illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 1 at Zia and 22a. It is possible concurrently to extend the central portions [9 and 2a to the full depth of the band element, if desired; but this is likely to increase the resistance tofolding of the lateral partition element. The glue flaps 25, 26, 21 and 28 are preferably left in the shortened'condition since, if they are prolonged it willbe necessary to form slots in them to-match with the slots in the central partition hereinafter described.

To provide for the engagement of a handle element as will be hereinafter described, I form slits or slots in the elements [:3 and M extending substantially from the score lines 8 and I upwardly a distance approximately equal to the depth of the elements I3 and I4 less the depth portions 25, 26 21 and 28 of the partition elements. In Figure .1, I have shown I-shaped slits, 33 in element l3, and 34 in element I4. In Figure 12 I- have shownslots 35, somewhat wider than the diameter of the who employed for the handleelementhereinafter described. The slits or slots arespaced from each other in my exemplary embodiment a distance somewhat less than the width of the partition elements [9 and 20.

The blank in the form just described may be made in the usual Way on carton cutting and scoring presses from board which has been printed in any way desired on its outer surface.

My invention is not limited to the use of board of any particular weight or thickness, but the design ofcarrier herein described may with advantage be madefromheavy board. The carrier construction isan especially durable. one, and one advantage of my carriers isthat they may be reused repeatedly in the merchandising of materials sold in bottles. As commercially produced, they are capable of making many trips from the retail. store to the home of ultimate consumers.

Furthermore my carriersare capable of being folded and glued. on. standard or conventional folding and gluing equipment, especially those elements l9 and 20 inwardly so as to overlie the main band portions 2 and 3. Concurrently with this folding, rod elements engaging remaining portions of the partition elements operate to fold these remaining portions on the intermediate score lines 29, 3G, 31 and 32, as indicated in Fi ure 2, and finally to fold these portions of the partition elements over upon the first folded portions to bring them into the relationship illustrated in Figure 3.

Prior to the next folding operation adhesive may be applied to the glue flaps of the partition elements, 25, 26, 2? and 28 in areas indicated at a, 25a, 21a and 28a in Figure 3. The extensions are then folded over upon the main parts 2 and 3 along the intermediate score lines l5 and 16 of the bottom forming portions. The

lateral partition forming elements are thus adhesively secured to the longitudinal partition forming elements [3 and M.

Preparatoryto the next folding step one or the other of these latter elements may be treated with adhesive. This may be done in an all-over coating as at l3a in Figure 4: or the upper edge only of the member may be coated as at Na in the samefigure. In the one instance the members 13 and [4 will be adhered solidly together all over their areas when the band portion of the blank is folded on the intermediate score line I. In the other instance the central longitudinal partition forming elements l3 and I4 willbe adhered together at their upper edges only.

When the blank has been folded on the intermediate scoreline I with the super-position and adhesive union ofv the central longitudinal partition forming elements l3 and M, the glue flap 4 may be coated with adhesive as at 4a and folded over onto the free edge of thehmain band element 2, giving the structure shown in knockdown condition in Figure 5. The folding operations for the band and band glue flap may be accomplished by stationary sweeps in conven tional folding and: gluing equipment.

Thepaperboard portion of mycarrier is shown in perspective in completely collapsed condition in Figure 6 and in partially erected condition in Figure 7. It is in'this partially erected condition that the handle element must be attached to the paperboard'portion of my carrier. The handle element is a wire element. shown in Figure 8 as comprising a handle or bail portion 36, and dependent legs 31 and 38 terminating in reversely bent portions of the wire as at 39 and 40. The Wire of the leg portions may be displaced asat it to brin the main portion of the handle including the bail to a position coplanar with the median line of the erected carrier, the position of the displacement from the lower ends of the legs being equivalent to the depth of the central partition member of the paperboard structure. The length of the reversely bent portions 39 and 49 will be longer than the length of the. slots or slits 33, 34 or 35 by a substantial distance.

The handle is attached to the paperboard portion of the carrier while the latter is in a semi-collapsed position. One way of doing this is illustrated in Figure 9, Where the legs of the carrier are passed into the paperboard portion of the carrier, through the slits or slots in both central partition members l3 and I4, and down into'the partially collapsed bottom forming portion, until the ends of the reversely bent portions 39 and 40 have passed entirely through the slots. Then the handle element is brought into general parallelism with the central longitudinal partition element and drawn upwardly. The distance between the reversely bent portions 39 and 40 and the respective portions of the legs of the handle member is such as to cause these portions tightly to embrace the central longitudinal partition element formed of members l3 and Mplus the means in the nature of glue flaps 25, 26, 21 and 28 whereby the lateral, collapsible partition elements are adhesivelyattached to the central longitudinal partition element. This relationship is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 9.

Another way of attaching the handle element, effective when the central longitudinal partition elements have been adhered together only at their upper edges as by an area of adhesive I la in Figure 4, is to slightly separate the lower portions of these longitudinal partition forming elements and pass the handle member down through one of the slots until its reversely bent ends project beyond the plane of the bottom in the erected carrier. Then by righting the handle element and drawing it upwardly it will assume the relationship shown in dotted lines in Figure 9.

In either event, as will be clear from Figure 1'0 where the handle element is shown in solid linesin its lowermost position, the handle element can not be disengaged from the paper board portion of the carrier so long as the carrier is in fully erected condition, or when loaded. Especially when drawn upwardly, the compression of the glue flaps 25, 26, 21 and 28 against the longitudinal central partition forming elements l3 and I4 holds these elements together and prevents release of the adhesive attachment, in spite of outward strains imposed upon the side wall portions of the band of the carrier. In this way the handle coacts in a new fashion with the paper board carrier. The lateral partition forming elements do not tend to tear away from the carrier side walls, because they are integrally united therewith along the score lines I! and I8. But hitherto in carriers having collapsible lateral partitions there has been a tendency for outward strains on the carriers side walls to peel the attachment portions of the lateral partition elements away from the central longitudinal partition with consequent weakening and disruption of the carrier. My handle prevents this completely.

Yet again, the engagement of the handle with the central longitudinal partition element is not a hinged connection but a rigid one. Hence loading one side only of the carrier can not cause the carrier to tip on the handle element with consequent loss of the bottles.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the completed, erected carrier with the handle element in carrying position.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it. The two central longitudinal partition elements l3 and I4 may if desired be connected together by means of a glue flap as taught in my co-pending application serial No. 729,795 filed February 20, 1947, set forth above. Having thus described my invention in an exemplary embodiment what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a bottle carrier including a body having side and end walls for surrounding an assembly of bottles, a central longitudinal partition terminating substantially in the plane of the top edges of said side and end Walls, and lateral partition elements extending between the side walls and the central longitudinal partition and having attachment portions lyingalong said central longitudinal partition, 9, wire handle element having reversely bent legs for engaging said central longitudinal partition, said central longitudinal partition being slotted to receive said handle element, said slots being elongated and lying substantially within the lower half of said central longitudinal partition, said lateral partition elements contacting said central longitudinal partition adjacent said slots with said attachment portions extending in the direction of said slots and secured to said central longitudinal partition in the areas above said elongated slots, said legs passing through said slots in said central longitudinal partition and serving to clam together said central longitudinal partition and the attachment portions of said lateral partition elements.

2. In a bottle carrier including a body having side and end walls for surrounding an assembly of bottles, a central longitudinal partition, and lateral partition elements extending between the side Walls and the central longitudinal partition and having attachment portions lying along said central longitudinal partition, a Wire handle element having reversely bent legs for engaging said central longitudinal partition, said central longitudinal partition being slotted to receive said handle element, said slots being elongated and lying substantiall within the lower half of said central longitudinal partition, said lateral partition elements contacting said central longitudinal partition adjacent said slots with said attachment portions extending in the direction of said slots with portions lying above said slots, the legs of said handle passing through the slots in said central longitudinal partition and serving to clamp together said central longitudinal partition and the attachment portions of said lateral partition elements contacting said central longitudinal partition in the areas above said slots.

3. In a bottle carrier including a body having side and end walls for surrounding an assembly of bottles, a central longitudinal partition, and lateral partition elements extending between the side walls and the central longitudinal partition and having attachment portions lying along said central longitudinal partition, a wire handle element having reversely bent legs for engaging said central longitudinal partition, said central longitudinal partition being slotted to receive said handle element, said slots being elongated and lying substantially within the lower half of said central longitudinal partition, said lateral partition elements contacting said central longitudinal partition adjacent said slots with said attachment portions extending in the direction of said slots with portions lying above said slots, the legs of said handle passing through the slots in said central longitudinal partition and serving to clamp together said central longitudinal partition and the attachment portions of said lateral partition elements contacting said central longitudinal partition in the areas above said slots, the reversely bent portions of said handle being of greater length than said elongated slots whereby said handle may be moved in the plane of said central longitudinal partition without detachment therefrom.

4. Ina bottle carrier including a body having side and end walls for surrounding an'assembly of 7 bottles, a central longitudinal partition; and lateral partition elements extending between the side walls and the central longitudinal partition and having attachment portions lying along said central longitudinal partition, a-wire handle element having reversely bent legs for engaging said central longitudinal partition, said central longitudinal partition being slotted to receive said handle element, said slots" being elongated and lying substantially within the lower half of said central longitudinal partition, said lateral partition elements contacting said central longitudinal partition adjacent said slots with said attachment portions extending in the direction of said slots with portions lying above said slots, the legs of said handle passing'through the slots in said central longitudinal partition and serving to clamp together said central longitudinal partition and-the attachment portions of said lateral partition elements contacting said central longitudinal partition in the areas above said slots, the reversely bent portions of said handle being of greater length than said elongated slots whereby said handle may be moved in the plane of said central longitudinal partition Without detachment therefrom, said paperboard bod including bottom portions extending between the bottom edges of said side walls and the bottom edgeot said central longitudinal partition and collapsible upon medium score lines in said end walls, said bottom elements and said lateral partition elements, the collapsing of said bottom elements providing pockets to which the reversely bent ends of said handle may be thrust for attachmentand detachment when said paperboard body is in collapsed condition. I WILLIAM A. RINGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,906,647 Smith et a1. May 2, 1933 2,163,290 Powell June 20, 1939 2,418,350 Holy Apr, 1, 1947 2,431,932 Hall Dec. 2} 1947 2,460,108 Smith Jan. 25, 1949 2,461,879 Crane Feb. 15', 1949 2,532,446 Hall Dec. 5, 1950 

